Sunday 16 March 2014

SOMETHIING FIERY FOR THE FEISTY


She and I aren't particularly close but since my great-grandfather and her grandfather shared the same grandfather (or something along the line) we belong to the same family tree.  She is one tough cookie, this 84 year-old Aunt SS of mine.  Some years ago she suffered a stroke that left the right side of her body semi-paralysed.  Not allowing herself to bow down to fate, she was able to self-train her muscles until she was able to walk once again.  A few years later, she had a fall and laid on her bedroom floor for three days before being discovered by a neighbour. 

About a month ago, on a Sunday, she fell again and there she sat, inmobile, for two days. She was whisked off to the hospital by a friend who visited her on Tuesday.  This time she suffered a broken arm and was in the hospital for more than two weeks before being moved to St. Luke's to recuperate.

My mother and I try to visit her every Saturday afternoon, bring a treat every time.  One week it was dim sum, another week kuih pie tee.  Whatever it was, we'd made sure it was loaded up with chilli because Aunt SS once complained that "everything tastes blend without chilli."

This week Mum suggested we bring something homemade so I made something similar to the "pizza" two weeks ago.  Using French toast as base for my pizza, topping it up with stir-fried veggies and cheeses, bearing in mind to pack in lots of dried chilli flakes.  Aunt SS devoured two of this simple creation in one sitting.  I believe it was the chilli that sold them!


We've experienced at least a month of dry spell.  The sun was burning hotter than ever yesterday afternoon and Mum commented on how abundantly all the flowers are blooming this past month.

This late afternoon it finally rained!

Sunday 2 March 2014

TAKE THE WRAP



It’s TMD stressful having to support both ex and current (No, not boyfriends! Bosses! I mean bosses!) who are located in Europe and Asia respectively. When they both return to London next week, perhaps they should consider paying my salary in GBP while I work on London shift: 5PM to 2AM Singapore time, retire to bed at 7AM, wake up at 2PM ...

But I would hate to miss lunch so maybe it isn’t such a clever idea afterall.

Lunch time is the highlight of my day.  No matter how busy I am, I look forward to chilling out with my co-workers during lunch sessions.  During an especially hectic week, a few of us would bring our own lunch to the office. Usually it means reheating leftovers from the night before, or sandwiches thrown quickly together in the morning. This week I tried a hand at making my own whole wheat wraps. I rolled out the dough into flat disks, placed them between plastic sheets and kept them in the fridge. Before I leave home in the morning, I’d remove a piece of dough from the fridge and quickly toast it on both sides in a frying pan. Fillings are usually fresh lettuce, tomato and boiled chicken breast, or a slice of turkey ham. The best part is: oiling the pan isn't necessary! Eating healthily has never been easier.

This afternoon I took a wrap and experimented a "pizza" out of it.  The toppings are simple - sliced fresh bell peppers and mushrooms, and two kinds of cheeses.




Preheat your oven at 200 degrees C. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.

Stir-fry peppers and mushroom over medium heat until they soften. You may want to add a little salt to season.

Glaze wraps with a little olive oil to prevent sticking. Place them on prepared baking sheet. Spread cooked bell peppers and mushrooms over the dough. Top with grated cheeses (I used mozzarella and cheddar).

Bake until cheeses are bubbly.

If you so desire, you can dust with dried Italian herbs or chilli flakes before serving it hot.


Don't have an oven? Let Masa show you how to make pizza over a stove.

AU REVOIR

French Kiss by Huebucket I wish you bluebirds in the spring To give your heart a song to sing And then a kiss, but more than th...